System for sharing loads across generator sets, generator set for providing power, and method of synchronizing generator sets

Abstract

Presented herein are techniques for sharing loads across generator sets. A system may include a plurality of generator sets electrically coupled with one another to deliver electrical power to a load. A first generator set may include a first control panel to manage delivery of the electrical power between the first generator set and the load. The first generator set may include a first barrier to cover the first control panel to obstruct access to the first control panel from outside. The first generator set may include a first sensor configured to monitor for a state of the first barrier as one of: a closed state or an open state. The first generator set may include a first interlock to send, responsive to detection of the first barrier in the open state, an electrical signal to each generator set to terminate delivery of the electrical power.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for sharing loads across generator sets, comprising:
 a plurality of generator sets electrically coupled with one another via a bus to deliver electrical power to a load;   a first generator set of the plurality of generator sets, comprising:
 a first control panel comprising at least one element configured to manage delivery of at least a portion of the electrical power between the first generator set and the load; 
 a first barrier structured to cover the first control panel to obstruct access to the at least one element on the first control panel from outside the first generator set; 
 a first sensor configured to monitor for a state of the first barrier as one of: (i) a closed state to obstruct the access to the at least one element or (ii) an open state allowing the access to the at least one element; and 
 a first interlock configured to send, responsive to detection of the first barrier in the open state, an electrical signal via the bus to each generator set of the plurality of generator sets to disconnect from the load to terminate delivery of the electrical power. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second generator set of the plurality of generator sets configured to:
 receive, via the bus from the first generator set, the electrical signal to disconnect; and   cause, responsive to receipt of the electrical signal, an open connection between the second generator set and the load.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the second generator set further comprises a second control panel configured to present, responsive to the open connection, a fault indication identifying another barrier on another generator set as in the open state. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first interlock is further configured to:
 receive a second electrical signal via the bus from a second generator set of the plurality of generator sets, in response to detection of a second barrier on the second generator set as being in an open state to allow access to a second control panel of the second generator set; and   cause, responsive to receipt of the second electrical signal, an open connection between the first generator set and the load.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first control panel is further configured to:
 present, responsive to detection of the first barrier in the open state, a first fault indication identifying the first barrier on the first generator set as in the open state; and   present, responsive to detection of another barrier in an open state, a second fault indication identifying the other barrier on another generator set of the plurality of generator sets as in the open state.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first interlock is further configured to restrict, subsequent to the detection of the first barrier in the open state, reconnection of the first generator set with the load until detection of the first barrier reverting to the closed state. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of generator sets is further configured to deliver alternating current (AC) electrical power in synchronization with one another to the load via the bus. 
     
     
         8 . A first generator set for providing power, comprising:
 a power supply electrically coupled with a load to deliver electrical power;   a control panel configured to manage delivery of the electrical power from the power supply to the load;   a barrier structured to cover the control panel to obstruct access to the control panel from outside the first generator set;   a sensor configured to monitor for a state of the barrier as one of (i) a closed state or (ii) an open state; and   an interlock structured to be coupled with the power supply and the sensor, the interlock configured to:
 cause, responsive to detection of the barrier in the open state, a first connection between the power supply and the load to be opened cease delivery of the electrical power; and 
 send, responsive to opening of the first connection, an electrical signal to a second generator set to cause a second connection between the second generator set and the load to be opened. 
   
     
     
         9 . The first generator set of  claim 8 , wherein the interlock is further configured to:
 receive a second electrical signal sent by the second generator set in response to detecting a second barrier on the second generator set in the open state; and   cause, responsive to receipt of the second electrical signal, the first connection between the power supply and the load to be opened.   
     
     
         10 . The first generator set of  claim 8 , wherein the interlock is further configured to:
 determine that the power supply is connected with a bus structured to couple a plurality of generator sets with the load while the barrier is in the open state; and   refrain, responsive to determination that the power supply is connected while the barrier is in the open state, activation of the power supply of the first generator set in response to a start command.   
     
     
         11 . The first generator set of  claim 8 , wherein the interlock is further configured to:
 determine that the power supply is disconnected from a bus structured to couple a plurality of generator sets with the load; and   activate, responsive to determination that the power supply is disconnected and receipt of a start command, the power supply of the first generator set.   
     
     
         12 . The first generator set of  claim 8 , wherein the power supply is further configured to use a direct current (DC) voltage different from a second power supply of the second generator set,
 wherein the first generator set and the second generator set is further configured to output alternating current (AC) power to the load in synchronization.   
     
     
         13 . The first generator set of  claim 8 , wherein the control panel is further configured to:
 display, responsive to detection of the barrier in the open state, a first fault indication identifying the barrier on the first generator set as in the open state; and   display, responsive to detection of another barrier in an open state, a second fault indication identifying the barrier on another generator set of a plurality of generator sets as in the open state.   
     
     
         14 . The first generator set of  claim 8 , wherein the power supply further comprises at least one of: (i) a generator, (ii) a battery pack, (iii) a solar panel, (iv) a fuel cell, or (v) a mixed fuel source. 
     
     
         15 . A method of synchronizing generator sets, comprising:
 providing electrical power from a power supply of a first generator set of a plurality of power generator sets to a load;   monitoring for a state of a first barrier of the first generator set as one of: (i) a closed state to obstruct the access to a first control panel on the first generator set or (ii) an open state allowing the access to the first control panel;   causing, responsive to detection of the first barrier in the open state, a first connection between the power supply of the first generator set and the load to be opened to cease delivery of the electrical power; and   sending, responsive to opening the first connection, an electrical signal to a second generator set of a plurality of generator sets to cause a second connection between the second generator set and the load to be opened.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising
 receiving a second electrical signal from the second generator set, in response to detection of a second barrier on the second generator set as in an open state to allow access to a second control panel of the second generator set; and   causing, responsive to receipt of the second electrical signal, the first connection between the power supply of first generator set and the load to be opened.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising initiating, responsive to determination that the power supply is disconnected from a bus to couple the plurality of generator sets with the load, activation of the power supply of the first generator set in response to a start command. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising preventing, responsive to the power supply being connected a bus to couple the plurality of generator sets with the load while the first barrier is in the open state, activation of the power supply of the first generator set in response to a start command. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising restricting reconnection of the first generator set with the load until detection of the first barrier as reverting to the closed state. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising delivering, via the plurality of generator sets in synchronization with one another, alternating current (AC) electrical power to the load, prior to detection of the first barrier in the open state.